The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China hopes the US side will view the implementation of the phase-one agreement in an objective and rational manner, refrain from "shifting blame and passing the buck," and certainly not use it as an excuse to "stir up trouble" or "provoke issues," a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday. 

The remarks were made when asked for comment on US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's recent remarks claiming that the US will continue to advance the Section 301 investigation into China's implementation of the phase-one economic and trade agreement and may impose tariff measures. 

The spokesperson said since the phase-one economic and trade agreement between China and the US took effect in early 2020, China has upheld the spirit of contract, striven to overcome the sudden impact of the pandemic, along with subsequent disruptions to supply chains, global economic recession, and other multiple adverse factors. 

China has earnestly fulfilled its obligations under the agreement, having completed its commitments as scheduled in areas such as strengthening intellectual property protection and promoting the opening-up of financial services and agricultural product markets. In terms of expanding trade cooperation, China has also fully delivered on its obligations, according to the spokesperson.

In contrast, the US side has tightened export controls on China, restricted two-way investment, and continuously escalated suppression and restrictive measures in economic, trade, and other fields. These actions have hindered normal bilateral trade and investment activities, violated the spirit of the agreement, and undermined the atmosphere and conditions for its implementation, the MOFCOM spokesperson noted. 

Regarding the rights and wrongs of the matter, China has provided a comprehensive and detailed elaboration in the white paper titled "China's Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations," released on April 9, 2025.
 
Since last year, China and the US have held five rounds of economic and trade consultations, achieving a series of important outcomes. The two sides have reached multiple consensuses on issues including extending the suspension period for reciprocal tariffs, agricultural trade, export controls, and reducing investment restrictions. During this process, the two sides have also engaged in multiple communications regarding the implementation of the phase-one economic and trade agreement, the spokesperson said.

China is willing to work together with the US side, guided by the important consensus reached between the two leaders, to make good use of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, look to the future, and focus on implementing the existing economic and trade consensus achievements between the two sides, in order to actively explore points of converging interests and jointly look forward, the spokesperson said. If the US insists on proceeding with the relevant investigation and even imposes tariffs or other restrictive measures on the grounds of the investigation, China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, the MOFCOM spokesperson noted.

Global Times